Hyperloop Transportation Tech to begin talks with govt

"Hyperloop is similar to railways, aviation and we cannot go ahead without proper regulation. The current regulation does not cover levitation technology and thus the need to discuss this matter."Aritra Sarkhel | ETtech | Updated: July 20, 2017, 10:22 IST

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies is in the process of starting discussions with the government of India which will work around regulations and certifications required to build levitating pods in India.

The California-headquartered company had faced regulatory trouble in India before according to Bibop G Gresta, chairman, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies who over a telephonic conversation with ET from South Korea said that, "Hyperloop is similar to railways, aviation and we cannot go ahead without proper regulation. The current regulation does not cover levitation technology and thus the need to discuss this matter."

According to sources, Niti Aayog is also a part of the discussion.

Gresta also mentioned that they are in advanced talks with two Indian states where work for the project will start in August.

Earlier this year, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had referred a proposal for Hyperloop platform to Niti Aayog. This committee under VK Sarawat had to look into feasibility of building Hyperloop in India.

Amitabh Kant, CEO,Niti Aayog,GOI said that they are looking at all forms of feasible transportation for the country and pointed out that new age technologies will always stay ahead of regulation. “Let Hyperloop first successfully build a prototype and then we shall take the discussion forward.”

Apart from their India play, Gresta points out that they have licensed out their technology platform to the Government of South Korea for research and creation of Hyperloop network. The South Korean Project is going to be called HyperTube Express.

While Gresta’s HTT has been in talks with government agencies across the world for feasibility studies, their competition Hyperloop One recently completed a successful systems test in Nevada desert. “It’s good that they have demonstrated the tests but they have lot of catching up to do against our work,” says Gresta.

Apart from South Korea, Gresta and his team have finished feasibility study for Hyperloop in Abu Dhabi and are awaiting results before they can start construction. “The Hyperloop movement is progressing in general and we are on schedule to launch the first capsule in 2018.”